James b



(No Model.)

J. B. HARRIS, Jr.

ROLLER SKATE.

No. 333,751. Patented Jan. 5, 1886.

WITNESSES HTVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. Phnmum n mr, Wnhinmm 5Q UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES B. HARRIS, JR, OF GENESEO, NEW YORK.

ROLLER-SKATE.

EJPECIE'ICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 333,751, dated January 5, 1886.

Application filed September 24, 1884. Serial No. 143,884.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES B. HARRIS, J r., of Geneseo, in the county of Livingston and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Roller -Skates, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of my invention is to provide means whereby a skater can both guide his movements and'also slacken speed or stop at will; and it consists of the combinations of parts, including their construction, substantially as hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the figures.

Figure 1 is a side View, partially sectional, and Fig. 2 is an end view, ofa roller-skate with my improvement.

' The foot-piece a, brackets b b, axle-boxes c, hung to allow lateral movement, and rollers d on axles e are as usual. On the rear axlebox, 0, are lugs or arms ff, between which and on suitable pivots is hung a bent arm, whose outer end is forked and carries a small roller, h, of rubber, wood, or other material. A spiral spring, 13, between the upper end of the arm 9 and the axle-box piece tends to force the arm outward and roller h downward so far as allowed by a screw, if, that is tapped through ioot-piece a. The arm 9 has side arms formed with plates or brake-shoesl extending over the skate-rollers d, so that when roller h is raised the brake-shoes are forced into contact with the rollers. These devices give the skater perfect control of his movements.

By raising the toe of the skate, roller h is brought into contact with the floor, either to guide the movement or apply the brakes with more or less force. In that manner speed can be checked or a stoppage made very quickly.

This brake mechanism is especially adapted for parlor-skates, as the roller does not injure carpets.

The roller may be adjusted to bear on the floor for aiding new beginners.

(No model.)

The brake may be applied to either the toe or the heel of the skate.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is. v

1. In a roller-skate, the crank or elbow arm, pivoted at its angle to the rear axle-box, the lower end of said arm carrying aroller or stop, and the upper end of said lever carrying a brake shoe or shoes, said roller being held elevated from the floor or surface simultaneously with the holding of the brake-shoe out of contact with or oft the skate roller or rollers, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a roller-skate, the crank or elbow arm, pivoted at its angle to the rear axle-box, the lower end of said arm carrying a roller or stop, and the upper end of said lever carrying a brake shoe or shoes, in combination with a spring holding the brakeshoe or shoes ofi' the rear skate-roller,aud the screw tapped in the heel end of the foot-piece and holding the roller of the elbow or crank arm elevated from the floor or surface as against the action of said spring, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a roller-skate, the crank or elbow arm having at its lower end a roller or stop and at its upper end a cross-bar provided with brakeshoes, in combination with the bifurcated rear axle-bracket, between lugs or arms of which bracket said elbow or crank arm is pivoted at its angle, the spring holding the crank or elbow arm off the rear skate rollers, and the screw tapped in the heel end of the foot-piece and holding the roller of said crank or elbow arm elevated from the floor or surface as against the action of said spring, substantially as described.

JAMES B. HARRIS, JR.

Witnesses:

MYRON N. FOSTER, NATHANIEL A. GEARHART. 

